Functionalism

• What analogy does Parsons use to compare society?

  Organic analogy
• How does Parsons describe systems in society?

  As self-regulating systems of independent parts
• What do functionalists believe about the needs of society?

  Society has basic needs similar to organisms
• What is the function of any system according to Functionalism?

  Its contribution to meeting the system's needs
• How is social order achieved according to Parsons?

  Through a shared value system
• What do norms and values allow for in society?

  Cooperation among individuals
• What is necessary for social order to be possible?

  Agreement on values or value consensus
• What are the two mechanisms that provide social order?

  Socialisation and social control
• What does socialisation involve according to Parsons?

  Teaching individuals to internalise norms and values
• What are positive sanctions in social control?

  Rewards for conformity
• What are negative sanctions in social control?

  Punishments for deviance
• What are the instrumental needs in society?

  Adaptation and goal attainment
• How are material needs met in society?

  Through the economic sub-system
• What is goal attainment in the context of systems needs?

  Setting goals and providing resources
• What are the expressive needs in society?

  Integration and latency
• How must parts of society be integrated?

  To pursue shared goals
• What does latency refer to in society?

  Processes that maintain society over time
• What role does the kinship sub-system play?

  Provides pattern maintenance and tension management
• How does the organic analogy explain social change?

  By showing how society changes based on needs
• What are the differences between traditional and modern societies?

  • Traditional: Collective, ascribed status, particularistic standards, specificity, affective neutrality
  • Modern: Individual, achieved status, universalistic standards, diffuseness, affectivity
• What is a logical criticism of Functionalism?

  It states things exist because of their function
• What is a conflict perspective criticism of Functionalism?

  It legitimises the status quo and inequality
• What is an action perspective criticism of Functionalism?

  It views people as puppets without free will
• What is a postmodernist criticism of Functionalism?

  Today's society is too fragmented for meta-narratives